How to Check Your PC Specs and Decide What to Upgrade

A step-by-step guide to checking your gaming PC specs in Windows, finding the part that slows your PC down, and choosing the upgrade that gives you the biggest gain for your money.

Is your PC getting slow in new games? Have frame rates dropped and loading times grown? Before replacing the whole PC, it is better to know exactly which parts you have and which one causes the problem. Sometimes upgrading a single part, such as RAM, storage, or the graphics card, gives a big improvement for far less than a new build.

In this FEEH STORE guide, we show you how to check your PC specs in detail from Windows without complicated software, how to read part usage while gaming, and how to choose the right upgrade for your budget and games.

Quick Answer

Method 1: Task Manager

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Select the Performance tab.
3. Click CPU to see the processor name, core count, and speed.
4. Click Memory to see RAM size, speed, and slots used.
5. Click Disk to see whether you have an SSD or HDD.
6. Click GPU to see the graphics card name and dedicated memory.

From the same screen you can watch each part's usage in real time, which is very useful while gaming to see which part is working beyond its limit.

Method 2: dxdiag

Type dxdiag in the Start menu and press Enter to open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool:

• System tab: Windows version, CPU, RAM size, and DirectX version.
• Display tab: GPU name, manufacturer, memory, and driver version.

You can save all the information to a text file with Save All Information and send it to us if you want upgrade advice.

Method 3: System Information and Settings

Type msinfo32 in the Start menu to open System Information. Here you will find the motherboard model and BIOS version, which are essential if you plan a CPU upgrade, since each board supports specific processors. You can also go to Settings, then System, then About for a quick summary.

How to Find the Motherboard and PSU Model

The motherboard model appears in msinfo32 under BaseBoard Manufacturer and Product. The PSU does not show in Windows, so check the label on the unit inside the case, or refer to the invoice or product page if it is a ready build. Knowing your PSU wattage is essential before a GPU upgrade.

Table: What Your Specs Mean

Free Tools for Deeper Details

• CPU-Z: CPU, motherboard, and RAM details, including timings and real speed.
• GPU-Z: everything about your graphics card, from memory type to GPU clock and BIOS version.
• HWiNFO: monitors temperatures, power, and clocks for every part.
• CrystalDiskInfo: shows drive health and warns you before failure.

Always download these tools from their official websites only.

Do Not Forget Temperatures

Sometimes a PC slows down not because the parts are weak but because they are hot. When the CPU or GPU gets too hot, it lowers its clocks automatically, which is called thermal throttling. If your CPU stays above 90°C or your GPU above 85°C while gaming, the cause is usually dust, old thermal paste, or poor airflow. Cleaning, new paste, or extra case fans can fix it, or request our maintenance service.

Check Drivers and Windows Before Buying

Before spending on an upgrade, make sure the problem is not software. Update your GPU driver from NVIDIA or AMD, update chipset drivers from your board maker, and keep Windows updated. Check background apps in Task Manager, since some eat CPU and RAM quietly. Sometimes a clean Windows install restores the original speed.

How to Find the Part Slowing Your PC

This is the most important part. Run your usual game with Task Manager on a second screen, or use the NVIDIA or AMD performance overlay. Then watch:

• GPU near 100% and CPU moderate: the GPU is the limit, and upgrading it gives the biggest FPS jump.
• CPU or one core near 100% and GPU under 80%: the CPU is bottlenecking, common in competitive games.
• RAM above 90%: you need more RAM, one of the cheapest upgrades.
• Stutter and slow loading on an HDD: moving to NVMe changes the experience completely.

To understand bottlenecks in more depth, read our full article on the FEEH STORE blog.

Upgrades Ranked by Impact and Cost

1. NVMe SSD

If you still use a traditional HDD, this is the first upgrade to make. The difference in boot, app, and game load times is huge, and the cost is low. See our NVMe SSDs.

2. RAM

If you have 8GB, move to 16GB or 32GB. Make sure the new RAM matches your board, DDR4 or DDR5, and buy a two-stick kit for dual-channel performance. See our RAM.

3. Graphics Card

This upgrade gives the biggest gaming gain. First check three things: PSU wattage, card length versus your case, and that your CPU is not so old that it limits the new card. See our graphics cards.

4. CPU

A CPU upgrade depends on the motherboard. If it supports a stronger chip from the same generation, the upgrade is easy. On an old platform you usually need a new board and RAM, approaching the cost of a new build. See our CPUs.

5. PSU and Cooling

These are not direct performance upgrades, but they are essential when upgrading the GPU or CPU. A reliable PSU and a suitable cooler protect your investment and keep performance stable.

Common Upgrades We See in Our Store

• GTX 1650 with 8GB RAM: moving to 16GB and an RTX 5060 turns it into a comfortable 1080p machine, if the CPU is not too old and the PSU is enough.
• Strong CPU with an HDD: adding an NVMe SSD for Windows makes it feel new.
• RTX 3060 aiming for 1440p: an RTX 5060 Ti 16GB or RTX 5070 gives a clear jump with a 650W to 750W PSU.
• Old DDR3 platform: a new build is usually better value than piece-by-piece upgrades.

When Is Upgrading Not Worth It?

Sometimes upgrading is not the right call. If your PC uses a very old platform such as DDR3, or an old-generation CPU, a GPU upgrade alone will be held back by the CPU, and a CPU upgrade needs a new board and RAM. In that case, the total upgrade cost approaches a new build, which gives you balanced performance and a modern platform you can upgrade later.

A simple rule: if you need to replace the CPU, motherboard, and RAM together, seriously consider a new build instead.

Tips Before You Buy

• Know your exact motherboard model and check its CPU and RAM support lists.
• Measure the space inside your case before buying a large GPU.
• Make sure your PSU has the cables the new GPU needs.
• Update the BIOS before installing a new CPU on the same board.
• Back up your files before any storage upgrade.

Conclusion

Knowing your PC specs is the first step to any smart upgrade. Use Task Manager, dxdiag, and msinfo32 to identify your parts, then watch usage while gaming to find what slows the PC. Start with cheap, high-impact upgrades such as NVMe and RAM, then the GPU. If the platform is very old, a new build is usually better value in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find my graphics card?

In Task Manager under Performance then GPU, or in dxdiag under the Display tab.

How do I know if my RAM is DDR4 or DDR5?

Check the speed in Task Manager under Memory, or look up your motherboard model in msinfo32.

What should I upgrade first?

NVMe if you have an HDD, RAM if you have under 16GB, then the graphics card.

Can I upgrade the CPU without changing the motherboard?

Yes, if the board supports the new CPU after a BIOS update.

Can you help me choose an upgrade?

Of course. Send us your dxdiag specs and we will help you choose.